Alexander W. Roberts discovered this star in 1894, and from 267 visual observations he determined is period of variation.

It is classified as a Cepheid variable on the basis of its light variations, with the brightness increase from minimum to maximum taking only a third of the time of the decrease from maximum to minimum.

[3] According to the South African Astronomical Observatory, the chemical composition was derived as being high in sodium (Na) and aluminium (Al) and low in magnesium (Mg).

[12] Following a normal composition for a Cepheid star, V Cen does not have any unusual characteristics.

V Centauri's composition was observed alongside six other Classical Cepheid variable stars with the support of Russian, Chilean, and Ukrainian observatories.